NBA great Bill Walton has thoughts on the Inauguration

Former NBA great Bill Walton did not attend today's Inauguration, but Walton, like millions from around the world, watched with a sense of pride and hope as Barack Obama took the oath of office on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

It's a dream come true, Walton said in an interview with Starting Blocks.

"It truly is unbelievable. You can throw out any adjective you want to describe what this means, not just to the USA but to the world. That adjective would understate the importance of this moment. The word has not been developed that can capture how important and special and meaningful this is."

Walton, who was arrested during the early 1970s when he protested the Vietnam War, said he felt the greatest sense of pride and relief when Obama was sworn in.

"Pride in that the world has stood up for truth. But also a since of relief in that the nonsense and the criminal behavior of the last eight years is finally gone, but now the incredible hard reconstruction of our country is on all of our shoulders."

Most of that weight, however, will be on Obama's shoulders. But Walton is confident that Obama can help lead this country out of its current despair. More importantly, said Walton, this is not about Obama's race but about this country's needed change.

"Obama is such a unique and special human being. And that's why the world is so anxious. A lot of people will focus on his race and that can't be overlooked but more importantly, this guy is a great inspiration."

The Inauguration also made Walton reflect on some of his heroes, like Muhammad Ali and Bill Russell. He hopes Obama gets the chance to spend time with Ali and Russell.

NBA.comBill Walton

"Ali and Russell made it possible for the successes that we all had. Their sacrifices and the pain and suffering they had to shoulder and absorb made it possible for everyone else to be themselves."

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